Please help me... I'm desperate.

[Joe Thomlinson]

Hi guys,

Really hoping for a hero to help out as I'm at my wits end.

I am a first time home owner & have just moved into an old council flat (it is located on the 2nd floor and there is 1 property below me).

During the day & night at random intervals there is an incredible loud surging noise coming from a pipe in the flat. It doesn't sound like a water hammer, more like a toilet cystern. However, it occurs with no rhyme or reason as nobody is flushing a loo in the property.

It's so loud I'm unable to sleep and it happens 2/3 times during the night and can last up to 30mins!

I have attached a video of the noise.

If anyone could please suggest any sort of fix you would be my hero.

Thanks!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Anyone above you eg 3rd floor flat ?

 

[Joe Thomlinson]

Anyone above you eg 3rd floor flat ?

No, I am the top flat.

Only flat 1 flat below me.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Any cold water tanks in the loft space ?

 

[Joe Thomlinson]

Yes there is a cold water tank in the loft space, but I'm not sure if it's in use/working.

Could this be the problem?

 

[snowhead]

Is the other flat below using a washing machine or dishwasher overnight?

If it was only once in the night it could be a Water softener regenerating, if the other flat have one.
But unless it's faulty it wouldn't be more than once a night.

 

[Joe Thomlinson]

Is the other flat below using a washing machine or dishwasher overnight?

If it was only once in the night it could be a Water softener regenerating, if the other flat have one.
But unless it's faulty it wouldn't be more than once a night.

No, I don't believe so as it happens multiple times per-night and during the day. Unless he's doing 4/5 washes a day every day haha!

 

[Joe Thomlinson]

Any cold water tanks in the loft space ?

Yes there is a cold water tank in the loft space, but I'm not sure if it's in use/working.

Could this be the problem?

 

[Gasmk1]

Yes there is a cold water tank in the loft space, but I'm not sure if it's in use/working.

Could this be the problem?

Could be if it’s being used for hot water and refilling, also check your toilet as most new toilets don’t have overflow to outside they overflow into the bowl if it’s emptying and refilling. That could be a problem

 

[Joe Thomlinson]

Could be if it’s being used for hot water and refilling, also check your toilet as most new toilets don’t have overflow to outside they overflow into the bowl if it’s emptying and refilling. That could be a problem

Have checked the loft tanks and they are both old and unused due to the Combi boiler.
Have also checked my toilet and it refills perfectly each time with no noise after...

Is it possible it could be an issue with the downstairs flat toilet that is then echoing up the pipes?

Thanks again so much for your help.

 

[Gasmk1]

Have checked the loft tanks and they are both old and unused due to the Combi boiler.
Have also checked my toilet and it refills perfectly each time with no noise after...

Is it possible it could be an issue with the downstairs flat toilet that is then echoing up the pipes?

Thanks again so much for your help.

Possible you need to speak to them

 

[SimonG]

Seen something similar. It was the flush valve in the toilet. Letting a very tiny amount of water pass. 2 or 3 times through the night it would refill toilet, making noise.
Not apparent with naked eye, but if you dry off the back of the toilet bowl inside and then put a but of toilet roll on it you will see if it gets wet.

If it's not yours it could be downstairs.

 

[townfanjon]

Turn your stop tap off when you go to bed tonight , then you will know if its your flat

 

[Joe Thomlinson]

Possible you need to speak to them

Hey guys,

So I have been to his house and flushed his loo and can hear the problem very clearly in my house every time I flush his loo - so it's almost definitely that refilling.

I took a video of the cistern refilling and was wondering if anyone could please help diagonse the issue? He says it takes him 5/10 minutes to refill the loo. His water pressure seemed fine? Is it likely to be a valve issue?

Thanks again guys, you're all heroes.

 

[snowhead]

Either the fill valve has got grit in it, or the rubber diaphragm washer has aged and lost flexibility.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Easier to change the whole valve